Monday, December 30, 2013

Christmas 2013 will be remembered as one of the craziest seasons in recent memory. We certainly will all remember the weather here in Southern Ontario. The shop lost power for about 24 hours, which was not too much of a problem as those were on the Sunday before Christmas. We had planned to open the shop on Sunday afternoon and then again on Monday for those last minute Christmas gifts and holiday knitting,

Sunday morning we woke to ice, everywhere! Church services were cancelled, downtowns closed their streets and malls were empty.

Here at home the main farm had electricity, but the ice had taken down trees and large branches needed to be cleared from the driveway before the Milk Truck arrived by noon. The barn and house on the other property had lost power which meant no water or way to feed animals, The hydro crew restored power to that property on Christmas Day. Fortunately we have a tractor driven generator and they were able to feed and water animals, but it could not run all day leaving the animals without water for many hours.

As I drove into town on Monday it was hard not to be affected by the devastation that the ice had caused. Trees sliced in half, roads covered in branches, beloved shrubs flattened. It took hours to chip away at the ice on the walk at the front of the shop. Conversations always included 'do you have hydro?', Families slept together in rooms with gas fireplaces and found creative places to find warm running water. Power outages were indiscriminate, it did not matter whether you lived in an old house, new house, big house, small apartment or on the 6 th floor. Once out you waited your turn and hoped it would be soon!

The utility companies worked tirelessly and it must have been frustrating to have to wait, I know it was for us and the other barn. I admire those workers who have work on those days and nights when we are told that the best place to be is in your own home, many missed Christmas with their own families.

Our family was able to celebrate Christmas Day together once 'The Girl' arrived on the train early in the afternoon. We enjoyed a Christmas pot-luck with 'The Farmer's' family the next day. Friday we drove 'The Girl' back and we spent a couple of nights in her city relaxing in a warm hotel with clean running water.

'Clean running water?'

Although we did not loose power during the ice storm we encountered a problem with our well. The water had been contaminated with surface water and it made the water completely unsafe. So no baths, dish washing or laundry. They pumped out the well on the 24th and the 26th we added 2 jugs of bleach, I washed some of 'The Farmer's' work clothes and when they came out of the dryer it was like a whole new wardrobe, every item was a new colour!

Today is Monday, the water is somewhat normal, but we are still using bottled water for anything that is consumed. There is a pot of turkey on the stove and I am finishing up some knitting.

It's hard to believe that all those things happened in just a week,

Hope you found ways to celebrate with your family and friends and wishing you good things in 2014,

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Sorry about blog silence, it only means that life has been very good but hectic!

The shop is a busy place. Customers are enjoying the new expanded space and the opportunity to see more of the inventory we actually had but all stuffed into the one small shop.

There is a downside of all this new found space, more floors to clean, more snow to shovel more sinks...you get the picture. Keeping up with everything is taking up more of my spare time.

So it's Sunday, my day off from the shop! I have shoveled the walk and purchased some new things that will hopefully stop the windows from fogging up and checked the space for a those things that have been known to happen when we are away.

I am at home waiting for 'The Farmer' and 'The Boy' to return from repairing the water pipes at the barn (frozen again) and we can put up the tree. Decorating can wait until sometime this week.

If you have been following on Facebook I hope you have participated in at least one of the Knit-a-longs we have created. They don't take too long to do and we hope to have at least 5 items knit before the 25th. (It was going to be a lot more, but that was just being way too organised for even me!)

Thursday, December 5, 2013

The shop has tripled its inventory and doubled in size and added staff. The merchandise has changed and evolved into a unique collection of yarn and fibers.

Friday, tomorrow, is Moonlight Magic. This event is one of the Downtown's favourite. A time to visit the shops in Downtown Bowmanville when they are at their finest. Fully stocked and ready for Christmas shoppers. Some have special events and everyone is ready for the season. There is a tree lighting planned at the Town Hall, with music and entertainment.

The shop will be open until 10 pm. Visit us anytime on Friday as we will have specials on a couple of yarn lines and gift items. During the evening there will be treats and a beverage to enjoy.

Join us, bring a food item for the Salvation Army and enter a draw for a prize!